Bus Shelter Installation

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA, commonly known as Metro) is requesting proposals for comprehensive bus stop shelter installation services across its service area in Hamilton County and portions of Warren, Butler, and Clermont counties under RFP #038-2026, with proposals due July 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. electronically. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. The project is federally funded by the Federal Transit Administration and subject to Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements, Buy America certification mandates, and comprehensive FTA compliance obligations.

The scope encompasses installation of 51 bus shelters across multiple jurisdictions: 25 Tolar 10' AD Custom Dome Shelters and 26 Tolar 16' Sunset Shelters. Deliverables include project management, engineering, design, permitting, concrete pad construction, and shelter installation with three concrete pad configuration types (Type 1 with demolition of existing pads, Type 2 with curb-to-sidewalk ADA connections and demolition, Type 3 new construction without demolition). Phase One requires installation of a minimum of 26 shelters in Year 1 (13 within 180 days of Notice to Proceed, 13 within 360 days) and 25 shelters in Year 2 (13 within the first six months, 12 in the second six months). The contract term is two years.

Pricing must be all-inclusive unit costs covering project management, engineering, design, permitting, concrete pad construction and removal, and shelter installation. Contractors may elect Option #1 (SORTA purchases and drop-ships shelters) or Option #2 (contractor procures shelters; lead time approximately five months, 15 units per truckload).

Evaluation criteria are cost (37.5%), project approach and technical methodology (32.5%), and firm and staffing qualifications (30%). Proposals must include a 120-day price validity period, 10% bid bond, and 100% performance and payment bond within 10 days of award. Questions are due June 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with responses by July 1. SORTA has determined that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are limited; however, bidders are encouraged to include small and disadvantaged businesses where feasible. All work must comply with ADA accessibility requirements and prevailing wage standards.